Evaluation of Adoption Support Fund

The aim of this research is to provide an up-to-date assessment of the impact of the Adoption Support Fund in England on family and children's outcomes. This research will be used to ensure that future investment in adoption support is targeted correctly and policies are developed in the most effective way. The key objectives of the research are: • Assess the suitability and impact of the Fund in improving the lives of adopted children and their families; • Provide an understanding of how the revised operating model support families to access support and ensure adoptive families receive the services they need in a timely and constructive way? • Provide an understanding of the learning from the development of RAAs and the regionalisation agenda that can be used to inform policy development of the Fund and wider adoption issues? • Assess the impact, and why, of the introduction and evolution of the Adoption Support Fund in local areas? And how has it informed development of local authority practice?

The research will employ a mixed methods, longitudinal outcome and process evaluation including: • Longitudinal research with adoptive families • Longitudinal qualitative interviews with children and families • Longitudinal interviews with local authorities and providers of adoption including adoption support services • Case Studies with the RAAs and ASF Regional Pilots • Two flexible qualitative studies that respond to emerging issues during the lifetime of the project • Analysis of management information